Alkoximino acetic acid amides

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to new alkoximinoacetic acid amides, a process for their preparation and their use as agents for combating pests.

This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 08/875,300, now allowed, which was filed on Jul. 23,1997 under 35 U.S.C. 371 and based on PCT/EP96/00179, filed Jan. 17, 1996.

The invention relates to new alkoximinoacetic acid amides, a process for their preparation and their use as agents for combating pests.

New compounds of the general formula (I)

in which

A represents a single bond or optionally substituted alkylene,

Q represents oxygen or sulphur,

R¹ represents in each case optionally substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl or heterocyclyl,

R² and R³ are identical or different and in each case represent hydrogen or in each case optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkinyl or cycloalkyl, and

R⁴ represents in each case optionally substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl or heterocyclyl,

have been found.

In the definitions, the saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chains, such as alkyl, alkanediyl, alkenyl or alkinyl, including when linked with heteroatoms, such as in alkoxy, alkylthio or alkylamino, are in each case straight-chain or branched.

Halogen in general represents fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine; preferably fluorine, chlorine or bromine, in particular fluorine or chlorine.

Aryl represents aromatic, mono- or polycyclic hydrocarbon rings, such as, for example, phenyl, naphthyl, anthranyl or phenanthryl, preferably phenyl or naphthyl, in particular phenyl.

Heterocyclyl represents saturated or unsaturated and aromatic, cyclic compounds in which at least one ring member is a heteroatom, i.e. an atom which differs from carbon. If the ring contains several heteroatoms, these can be identical or different. Heteroatoms are preferably oxygen, nitrogen or sulphur.

Cyclic compounds optionally form a polycyclic ring system together with further carbocyclic or heterocyclic fused-on or bridged rings. Mono- or bicyclic ring systems, in particular mono- or bicyclic aromatic ring systems, are preferred.

Cycloalkyl represents saturated carbocyclic, cyclic compounds which optionally form a polycyclic ring system with further carbocyclic, fused-on or bridged rings.

Cycloalkenyl represents carbocyclic, cyclic compounds which contain at least one double bond and optionally form a polycyclic ring system with further carbocyclic, fused-on or bridged rings.

Finally, it has been found that the new alkoximinoacetic acid amides of the general formula (I) have a very potent fungicidal action.

Where appropriate, the compounds according to the invention are in the form of mixtures of various possible isomeric forms, in particular stereoisomers, such as, for example, E and Z, threo and erythro and optical isomers. Both the E and the Z isomers and also the threo and erythro isomers as well as the optical isomers and any desired mixtures of these isomers are described and claimed.

The invention preferably relates to compounds of the formula (I) in which

A represents a single bond, or represents alkylene having 1 to 6 carbon atoms which is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents, the possible substituents preferably being chosen from the following list:

halogen, cyano, nitro, amino, hydroxyl, formyl, carboxyl, carbamoyl or thiocarbamoyl;

in each case straight-chain or branched alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylsulphinyl or alkylsulphonyl having in each case 1 to 6 carbon atoms;

in each case straight-chain or branched alkenyl or alkenyloxy having in each case 2 to 6 carbon atoms;

in each case straight-chain or branched halogenoalkoxy, halogenoalkylthio, halogenoalkylsulphinyl or halogenoalkylsulphonyl having in each case 1 to 6 carbon atoms and 1 to 13 identical or different halogen atoms;

in each case straight-chain or branched halogenoalkenyl or halogenoalkenyloxy having in each case 2 to 6 carbon atoms and 1 to 13 identical or different halogen atoms;

in each case straight-chain or branched alkylamino, dialkylamino, alkylcarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylsulphonyloxy, hydroximinoalkyl or alkoximinoalkyl having in each case 1 to 6 carbon atoms in the individual alkyl parts;

cycloalkyl having 3 to 6 carbon atoms;

and substituted aryl or heterocyclyl, in each case optionally mono- or poly-substituted in an identical or different manner by

halogen, cyano and/or straight-chain or branched alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms

and/or straight-chain or branched halogenoalkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and 1 to 9 identical or different halogen atoms

and/or straight-chain or branched alkoxy or alkylthio having 1 to 4 carbon atoms

and/or straight-chain or branched halogenoalkoxy or halogenoalkylthio having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and 1 to 9 identical or different halogen atoms

and/or in each case divalent alkylene or dioxyalkylene having in each case 1 to 6 carbon atoms and optionally mono- or polysubstituted in an identical or different manner by halogen and/or straight-chain or branched alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and/or straight-chain or branched halogenoalkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and 1 to 9 identical or different halogen atoms,

Q represents oxygen or sulphur,

R¹ represents aryl, cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl having 3 to 7 carbon atoms or heterocyclyl having 3 to 12 ring members, in each case optionally mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents, the possible substituents preferably being chosen from the following list:

halogen, cyano, nitro, amino, hydroxyl, formyl, carboxyl, carbamoyl or thiocarbamoyl;

in each case straight-chain or branched alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylsulphinyl or alkylsulphonyl having in each case 1 to 8 carbon atoms;

in each case straight-chain or branched alkenyl or alkenyloxy having in each case 2 to 6 carbon atoms;

in each case straight-chain or branched halogenoalkyl, halogenoalkoxy, halogenoalkylthio, halogenoalkylsulphinyl or halogenoalkylsulphonyl having in each case 1 to 6 carbon atoms and 1 to 13 identical or different halogen atoms;

in each case straight-chain or branched halogenoalkenyl or halogenoalkenyloxy having in each case 2 to 6 carbon atoms and 1 to 13 identical or different halogen atoms;

in each case straight-chain or branched alkylamino, dialkylamino, alkylcarbonyl, alkyicarbonyloxy, alkoxycarbonyt, alkylsulphonyloxy, hydroximinoalkyl or alkoximinoalkyl having in each case 1 to 8 carbon atoms in the individual alkyl parts;

in each case divalent alkylene or dioxyalkylene having in each case 1 to 6 carbon atoms and in each case optionally mono- or polysubstituted in an identical or different manner by halogen and/or straight-chain or branched alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and/or straight-chain or branched halogenoalkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and 1 to 9 identical or different halogen atoms;

cycloalkyl having 3 to 6 carbon atoms;

and substituted aryl, aryloxy, arylthio, arylalkyl, arylalkyloxy, arylalkylthio, heterocyclyl, heterocyclyloxy, heterocyclylthio, heterocyclylalkyl, heterocyclylalkyloxy or heterocyclylalkylthio, in each case optionally mono- or polysubstituted in an identical or different manner by

halogen, cyano and/or straight-chain or branched alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms

and/or straight-chain or branched halogenoalkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and 1 to 9 identical or different halogen atoms

and/or straight-chain or branched alkoxy or alkylthio having 1 to 4 carbon atoms

and/or straight-chain or branched halogenoalkoxy or halogenoalkylthio having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and 1 to 9 identical or different halogen atoms

and/or in each case divalent alkylene or dioxyalkylene having in each case 1 to 6 carbon atoms and optionally mono- or polysubstituted in an identical or different manner by halogen and/or straight-chain or branched alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and/or straight-chain or branched halogenoalkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and 1 to 9 identical or different halogen atoms,

R² represents hydrogen, or represents alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkenyl or alkinyl having in each case 2 to 4 carbon atoms or cycloalkyl having 3 to 6 carbon atoms, in each case optionally mono- or polysubstituted in an identical or different manner by halogen, cyano, hydroxyl, amino, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphinyl or C₁-C₄-alkylsulphonyl (which can in each case be optionally substituted by halogen) or by optionally substituted phenyl,

R³ represents hydrogen or alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms,

R⁴ represents aryl, cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl having 3 to 8 carbon atoms or heterocyclyl having 3 to 12 ring members, in each case optionally mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents, the possible substituents preferably being chosen from the following list:

halogen, cyano, nitro, amino, hydroxyl, formyl, carboxyl, carbamoyl or thiocarbamoyl;

in each case straight-chain or branched alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylsulphinyl or alkylsulphonyl having in each case 1 to 6 carbon atoms;

in each case straight-chain or branched alkenyl or alkenyloxy having in each case 2 to 6 carbon atoms;

in each case straight-chain or branched halogenoalkyl, halogenoalkoxy, halogenoalkylthio, halogenoalkylsulphinyl or halogenoalkylsulphonyl having in each case 1 to 6 carbon atoms and 1 to 13 identical or different halogen atoms;

in each case straight-chain or branched halogenoalkenyl or halogenoalkenyloxy having in each case 2 to 6 carbon atoms and 1 to 13 identical or different halogen atoms;

in each case straight-chain or branched alkylamino, dialkylamino, alkylcarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylsulphonyloxy, hydroximinoalkyl or alkoximinoalkyl having in each case 1 to 6 carbon atoms in the individual alkyl parts;

in each case divalent alk-ylene or dioxyalkylene having in each case 1 to 6 carbon atoms and in each case optionally mono- or polysubstituted in an identical or different manner by halogen and/or straight-chain or branched alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and/or straight-chain or branched halogenoalkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and 1 to 9 identical or different halogen atoms;

cycloalkyl having 3 to 6 carbon atoms;

and substituted aryl, aryloxy, arylthio, arylalkyl, arylalkyloxy, arylalkylthio, heterocyclyl, heterocyclyloxy, heterocyclylthio, heterocyclylalkyl, heterocyclylalkyloxy or heterocyclylalkylthio, in each case optionally mono- or polysubstituted in an identical or different manner by

halogen, cyano and/or straight-chain or branched alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms

and/or straight-chain or branched halogenoalkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and 1 to 9 identical or different halogen atoms

and/or straight-chain or branched alkoxy or alkylthio having 1 to 4 carbon atoms

and/or straight-chain or branched halogenoalkoxy or halogenoalkylthio having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and 1 to 9 identical or different halogen atoms and/or in each case divalent alkylene or dioxyalkylene having in each case 1 to 6 carbon atoms and optionally mono- or polysubstituted in an identical or different manner by halogen and/or straight-chain or branched alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and/or straight-chain or branched halogenoalkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and 1 to 9 identical or different halogen atoms.

The invention particularly relates to compounds of the formula (I) in which

A represents a single bond, or represents methylene, 1,1-ethylene, 1,2-ethylene, 1,1-, 1,2-, 1,3- or 2,2-propylene, 1,1-, 1,2-, 1,3-, 1,4-, 2,2-, 2,3-butylene or 1,1-, 1,2- or 1,3-(2-methylpropylene) which are optionally mono- or poly-substituted in an identical or different manner by fluorine, chlorine, cyano or methoxy,

Q represents oxygen or sulphur,

R¹ represents cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl, phenyl, naphthyl, furyl, benzofuranyl, pyrrolyl, indolyl, thienyl, benzothienyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyridyl, quinolyl, pyrimidyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, oxiranyl, oxetanyl, tetrahydrofuryl, perhydropyranyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl or morpholinyl, in each case optionally mono- to trisubstituted, the possible substituents preferably being chosen from the following list:

fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, nitro, amino, hydroxyl, formyl, carboxyl, carbamoyl, thiocarbamoyl, methyl, ethyl, n- or i-propyl, n-, i-, s- or t-butyl, n-pentyl, n-hexyl, n-heptyl, methoxy, ethoxy, n- or i-propoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, n- or i-propylthio, methylsulphinyl, ethylsulphinyl, methylsulphonyl or ethylsulphonyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoroethyl, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, difluorochloromethoxy, trifluoroethoxy, difluoromethylthio, difluorochloromethylthio, trifluoromethylthio, trifluoromethylsulphinyl or trifluoromethylsulphonyl, methylamino, ethylamino, n- or i-propylamino, dimethylamino, diethylamino, acetyl, propionyl, acetyloxy, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, methylsulphonyloxy, ethylsulphonyloxy, hydroximinomethyl, hydroximinoethyl, methoximinomethyl, ethoximinomethyl, methoximinoethyl or ethoximinoethyl;

in each case divalent trimethylene (propane-1,3-diyl), tetramethylene (butane-1,4-diyl), methylenedioxy or ethylenedioxy, in each case optionally mono- or polysubstituted in an identical or different manner by fluorine, chlorine, methyl, trifluoromethyl, ethyl or n- or i-propyl;

cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl;

phenyl, benzyl, phenoxy and benzyloxy which are optionally substituted by the abovementioned substituents,

R² represents hydrogen, or represents methyl, ethyl, n- or i-propyl or n-, i-, s- or t-butyl, or represents benzyl or propargyl or allyl,

R³ represents hydrogen, or represents methyl or ethyl,

R⁴ represents cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl, phenyl, naphthyl, furyl, benzofuranyl, pyrrolyl, indolyl, thienyl, benzothienyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyridyl, quinolyl, pyrimidyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, oxiranyl, oxetanyl, tetrahydrofuryl, perhydropyranyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl or morpholinyl, in each case optionally mono- to trisubstituted, the possible substituents preferably being chosen from the following list.

fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, nitro, amino, hydroxyl, formyl, carboxyl, carbamoyl, thiocarbamoyl, methyl, ethyl, n- or i-propyl, n-, i-, s- or t-butyl, methoxy, ethoxy, n- or i-propoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, n- or i-propylthio, ethylsulphinyl, ethylsulphinyl, methylsulphonyl or ethylsulphonyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoroethyl, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, difluorochloromethoxy, trifluoroethoxy, difluoromethylthio, difluorochloromethylthio, trifluoromethylthio, trifluoromethylsulphinyl or trifluoromethylsulphonyl, methylamino, ethylamino, n- or i-propylamino, dimethylamino, diethylamino, acetyl, propionyt, acetyloxy, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, methylsuliphonyloxy, ethylsuilphonyloxy, hydroximinomethyl, hydroximinoethyl, methoximinomethyl, ethoximinomethyl, methoximinoethyl or ethoximinoethyl;

in each case divalent trimethylene (propane-3-diyl), tetramethylene (butane-1,4-diyl), methylenedioxy or ethylenedioxy, in each case optionally mono- or polysubstituted in an identical or different manner by fluorine, chlorine, methyl, trifluoromethyl, ethyl or n- or i-propyl;

cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl.

Particularly preferred compounds of the formula (I) are those in which

A represents a single bond, or represents methylene, 1,1-ethylene, 1,2-ethylene, 1,1-, 1,2-, 1,3- or 2,2-propylene, 1,1-, 1,2-, 1,3-, 1,4-, 2,2-, 2,3-butylene or 1,1-, 1,2- or 1,3-(2-methylpropylene), which are optionally mono- or poly-substituted in an identical or different manner by fluorine, chlorine, cyano or methoxy,

Q represents oxygen or sulphur,

R¹ represents cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl, in each case optionally mono- to hexasubstituted, preferred substituents being those mentioned below;

or represents phenyl, naphthyl, furyl, benzofuranyl, thienyl, benzothienyl, pyridyl, quinolyl, tetrahydrofuryl or perhydropyranyl, in each case optionally mono- to trisubstituted, the possible substituents preferably being chosen from the following list:

fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, nitro, methyl, ethyl, n- or i-propyl, n-, i-, s- or t-butyl, n-pentyl, n-hexyl, n-heptyl, methoxy, ethoxy, n- or i-propoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, n- or i-propylthio, methylsulphinyl, ethylsulphinyl, methylsulphonyl or ethylsulphonyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoroethyl, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, difluorochloromethoxy, trifluoroethoxy, difluoromethylthio, difluorochloromethylthio, trifluoromethylthio, trifluoromethylsulphinyl, tritluoromethylsulphonyl, acetyl, propionyl, acetyloxy, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, methylsulphonyloxy, ethylsulphonyloxy, hydroximinomethyl, hydroximinoethyl, methoximinomethyl, ethoximinomethyl, methoximinoethyl or ethoximinoethyl;

in each case divalent trimethylene (propane-1,3-diyl), tetramethylene (butane-1,4-diyl), methylenedioxy or ethylenedioxy, in each case optionally mono- or polysubstituted in an identical or different manner by fluorine, chlorine, methyl, trifluoromethyl, ethyl or n- or i-propyl;

cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl;

phenyl, phenoxy or benzyloxy optionally substituted by the abovementioned substituents;

R² represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n- or i-propyl or n-, i- or t-butyl, or represents benzyl or allyl,

R³ represents hydrogen or methyl,

R⁴ represents cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl, in each case optionally mono- to hexasubstituted, preferred substituents being those mentioned below;

or represent phenyl, naphthyl, furyl, benzofuranyl, pyrrolyl, indolyl, thienyl, benzothienyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyt, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyridyl, quinolyl, pyrimidyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, oxiranyl, oxetanyl, tetrahydrofuryl, perhydropyranyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl or morpholinyl, in each case optionally mono- to trisubstituted, the possible substituents preferably being chosen from the following list:

fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, nitro, amino, hydroxyl, formyl, carboxyl, carbamoyl, thiocarbamoyl, methyl, ethyl, n- or i-propyl, n-, i-, s- or t-butyl, methoxy, ethoxy, n- or i-propoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, n- or i-propylthio, methylsulphinyl, ethylsulphinyl, methylsulphonyl or ethylsulphonyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoroethyl, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, difluorochloromethoxy, trifluoroethoxy, difluoromethylthio, difluorochloromethylthio, trifluoromethylthio, trifluoromethylsulphinyl or trifluoromethylsulphonyl, methylamino, ethylamino, n- or i-propylamino, dimethylamino, diethylamino, acetyl, propionyl, acetyloxy, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, methylsulphonyloxy, ethylsulphonyloxy, hydroximinomethyl, hydroximinoethyl, methoximinomethyl, ethoximinomethyl, methoximinoethyl or ethoximinoethyl;

in each case divalent trimethylene (propane-1,3-diyl), tetramethylene (butane-1,4-diyl), methylenedioxy or ethylenedioxy, in each case optionally mono- or polysubstituted in an identical or different manner by fluorine, chlorine, methyl, trifluoromethyl, ethyl or n- or i-propyl,

cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl.

An especially preferred group of compounds according to the invention are those compounds of the formula (I) in which

A represents a single bond, or represents methylene, 1,1-ethylene, 1,2-ethylene, 1,1-propylene, 1,2-propylene, 1,3-propylene or 2,2-propylene,

Q represents oxygen,

R¹ represents phenyl, thienyl or furanyl, which are optionally mono- or disubstituted by bromine, chlorine, fluorine, nitro, methylsulphonyl, phenyl, phenyloxy, benzyloxy, cyclopropyl, cyclohexyl, methyl, ethyl, n- or i-propyl, n-, i-, s- or t-butyl, n-pentyl, n-hexyl, n-heptyl, methoxy, ethoxy, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy and/or methylthio, or represents phenyl which is substituted by in each case optionally fluorine-substituted 3,4-methylene- and ethylenedioxo, propane-1,3-diyl or butane-1,4-diyl, or represents naphthyl, benzofuranyl or benzothienyl,

R² represents hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, or represents n- or i-propyl, or represents n-, i-, s- or t-butyl, or represents benzyl or allyl,

R³ represents hydrogen or methyl,

R⁴ represents cyclohexyl or optionally mono- to trisubstituted phenyl, thienyl, furyl, benzofuryl, benzothienyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, naphthyl or quinolyl, the possible substituents preferably being chosen from the following list:

fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, nitro, amino, hydroxyl, formyl, carboxyl, carbamoyl, thiocarbamoyl, methyl, ethyl, n- or i-propyl, n-, i-, s- or t-butyl, methoxy, ethoxy, n- or i-propoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, n- or i-propylthio, methylsulphinyl, ethylsulphinyl, methylsulphonyl or ethylsulphonyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoroethyl, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, difluorochloromethoxy, trifluoroethoxy, difluoromethylthio, difluoro-chloromethylthio, trifluoromethylthio, trifluoromethylsulphinyl or trifluoromethylsulphonyl, methylamino, ethylamino, n- or i-propylamino, dimethylamino, diethylamino, acetyl, propionyl, acetyloxy, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, methylsulphonyloxy, ethylsulphonyloxy, hydroximinomethyl, hydroximinoethyl, methoximinomethyl, ethoximinomethyl, methoximinoethyl or ethoximinoethyl,

in each case divalent trimethylene (propane-1,3-diyl), tetramethylene (butane-1,4-diyl), methylenedioxy or ethylenedioxy, in each case optionally mono- or polysubstituted in an identical or different manner by fluorine, chlorine, methyl, trifluoromethyl, ethyl or n- or i-propyl.

Compounds of the formula (I) which are of special interest are those in which the radical R¹ represents phenyl which is unsubstituted or substituted in the 3- and/or 4-position, or furanyl or thienyl, which are unsubstituted or substituted in the 4- and/or 5-position, the substituents chosen being those mentioned above, and in particular chlorine, bromine, fluorine, nitro, methylsulphonyl, phenyl, phenoxy, benzyloxy, cyclopropyl, cyclohexyl, methyl, ethyl, n- and i-propyl, n-, i-, s- and t-butyl, n-pentyl, n-hexyl, n-heptyl, methoxy, ethoxy, methylthio, trifluoromethyl and trifluoromethoxy, or phenyl substituted by in each case optionally fluorinesubstituted 3,4-methylene- and ethylenedioxo, propane-1,3-diyl and butane-1,4-diyl, or naphthyl, benzofuranyl or benzothienyl which are substituted in the 2-position.

Compounds of the formula (I) which are also particularly preferred are those in which

R² represents methyl or ethyl.

Compounds of the formula (I) which are also particularly preferred are those in which

R³ represents hydrogen.

Compounds of the formula (I) which are also particularly preferred are those in which R⁴ represents phenyl which is substituted by methoxy in the 3- and 4-position.

The abovementioned definitions of radicals given generally or in preferred ranges apply both to the end products of the formula (I) and correspondingly to the starting substances or intermediate products required in each case for the preparation.

These definitions of radicals can be combined with one another as desired, that is to say also between the stated ranges of preferred compounds.

Preferred individual compounds can be seen from the following tables:

TABLE 1 (Ia)

Compound No. R⁵ Ia-1 Hydrogen Ia-2 4-Chloro Ia-3 4-Fluoro Ia-4 4-Bromo Ia-5 4-Methyl Ia-6 4-Ethyl Ia-7 4-iso-Propyl Ia-8 4-n-Propyl Ia-9 4-n-Butyl Ia-10 4-iso-Butyl Ia-11 4-tert.-Butyl Ia-12 4-sec.-Butyl Ia-13 4-Methoxy Ia-14 4-Ethoxy Ia-15 4-Methylthio Ia-16 4-Trifluoromethyl Ia-17 3-Chloro Ia-18 3-Fluoro Ia-19 3-Bromo Ia-20 3-Methyl Ia-21 3-Ethyl Ia-22 3-iso-Propyl Ia-23 3-n-Propyl Ia-24 3-n-Butyl Ia-25 3-iso-Butyl Ia-26 3-tert.-Butyl Ia-27 3-sec.-Butyl Ia-28 3-Methoxy Ia-29 3-Ethoxy Ia-30 3-Methylthio Ia-31 3-Trifluormethyl Ia-32 3,4-Dichloro Ia-33 3,4-Difluoro Ia-34 3,4-Dibromo Ia-35 3,4-Dimethyl Ia-36 3,4-Diethyl Ia-37 3,4-OCH₂O Ia-38 3,4-OCH₂CH₂O Ia-39 3,4-OCF₂O Ia-40 3,4-OCF₂CF₂O Ia-41 3,4-(CH₂)₃ Ia-42 3,4-(CH₂)₄ Ia-43 3,4-Di-methoxy Ia-44 3,4-Diethoxy Ia-45 3,4-Dimethylthio Ia-46 3,4-Di-trifluoromethyl Ia-47 3-Chloro, 4-Methyl Ia-48 4-Chloro, 3-Methyl Ia-49 3-Chloro, 4-Methoxy Ia-50 4-Chloro, 3-Methoxy Ia-51 3-Chloro, 4-Ethyl Ia-52 4-Chloro, 3-Ethyl Ia-53 3-Methoxy, 4-Ethoxy Ia-54 4-Methoxy, 3 Ethoxy Ia-55 3-Methyl, 4-Methoxy Ia-56 4-Methyl, 3-Methoxy Ia-57 3-Methyl, 4-Ethyl Ia-58 4-Methyl, 3-Ethyl Ia-59 3-Methoxy, 4-Ethyl Ia-60 4-Methoxy, 3-Ethyl Ia-61 4-Nitro Ia-62 4-Methylsulfonyl Ia-63 4-Phenoxy Ia-64 4-Phenyl Ia-65 4-Benzyloxy Ia-66 4-Pentyl Ia-67 4-Hexyl Ia-68 4-Heptyl Ia-69 4-Cyclopropyl Ia-70 4-Cyclohexyl

TABLE 2 (Ib)

Compound No. R⁵ Ib-1 Hydrogen Ib-2 4-Chloro Ib-3 4-Fluoro Ib-4 4-Bromo Ib-5 4-Methyl Ib-6 4-Ethyl Ib-7 4-iso-Propyl Ib-8 4-n-Propyl Ib-9 4-n-Butyl Ib-10 4-iso-Butyl Ib-11 4-tert.-Butyl Ib-12 4-sec.-Butyl Ib-13 4-Methoxy Ib-14 4-Ethoxy Ib-15 4-Methylthio Ib-16 4-Trifluoromethyl Ib-17 5-Chloro Ib-18 5-Fluoro Ib-19 5-Bromo Ib-20 5-Methyl Ib-21 5-Ethyl Ib-22 5-iso-Propyl Ib-23 5-n-Propyl Ib-24 5-n-Butyl Ib-25 5-iso-Butyl Ib-26 5-sec.-Butyl Ib-27 5-tert.-Butyl Ib-28 5-Methoxy Ib-29 5-Ethoxy Ib-30 5-Methylthio Ib-31 5-Trifluoromethyl Ib-32 4,5-Dichlor Ib-33 4,5-Difluor Ib-34 4,5-Dibrom Ib-35 4,5-Dimethyl Ib-36 4,5-Diethyl Ib-37 4,5-Di-methoxy Ib-38 4,5-Di-trifluoromethyl Ib-39 4-Chloro, 5-Methyl Ib-40 5-Chloro, 4-Methyl

TABLE 3 (Ic)

Compound No. R⁵ Ic-1 Hydrogen Ic-2 4-Chloro Ic-3 4-Fluoro Ic-4 4-Bromo Ic-5 4-Methyl Ic-6 4-Ethyl Ic-7 4-iso-Propyl Ic-8 4-n-Propyl Ic-9 4-n-Butyl Ic-10 4-iso-Butyl Ic-11 4-tert.-Butyl Ic-12 4-sec.-Butyl Ic-13 4-Methoxy Ic-14 4-Ethoxy Ic-15 4-Methylthio Ic-16 4-Trifluoromethyl Ic-17 5-Chloro Ic-18 5-Fluoro Ic-19 5-Bromo Ic-20 5-Methyl Ic-21 5-Ethyl Ic-22 5-iso-Propyl Ic-23 5-n-Propyl Ic-24 5-n-Butyl Ic-25 5-iso-Butyl Ic-26 5-sec.-Butyl Ic-27 5-tert.-Butyl Ic-28 5-Methoxy Ic-29 5-Ethoxy Ic-30 5-Methylthio Ic-31 5-Trifluoromethyl Ic-32 4,5-Dichloro Ic-33 4,5-Difluoro Ic-34 4,5-Dibromo Ic-35 4,5-Dimethyl Ic-36 4,5-Diethyl Ic-37 4,5-Di-methoxy Ic-38 4,5-Di-trifluoromethyl Ic-39 4-Chloro, 5-Methyl Ic-40 5-Chloro, 4-Methyl

TABLE 4 (Id)

Compound No. R¹ Id-1 2-Naphthyl Id-2 2-Benzofuranyl Id-3 2-Benzothienyl

Table 5

Compounds Ia-1 to Id-3 corresponding to the formulae Ia, Ib, Ic and Id, wherein the 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl group (in general designated R⁴) is replaced by a phenyl radical which carries the substituents stated in each case as R⁵ in the compounds Ia-1 to Ia-70

Table 6

Compounds Ia-1 to Id-3 corresponding to the formulae Ia, Ib, Ic and Id, wherein the 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl group (in general designated R⁴) is replaced by one of the following trisubstituted phenyl radicals:

Substituents: 3,4,5-trimethoxy; 3,4,5-trichloro; 3,4,5-trimethyl.

Table 7

Compounds Ia-1 to Id-3 corresponding to the formulae Ia, Ib, Ic and Id, wherein the methoximino group (in general designated R²) is replaced by an ethoximino group which carries the substituents stated in each case as R⁵ in the compounds Ia-1 to Ia-70.

It has furthermore been found that the new alkoximinoacetic acid amides of the general formula (I) are obtained by a procedure in which carboxylic acid derivatives of the general formula (II)

in which

R¹, R² and Q have the abovementioned meaning and

T represents hydroxyl, halogen or alkoxy,

are reacted with an amine of the general formula (III)

in which

R³, R⁴ and A have the abovementioned meaning

— or with a hydrogen halide thereof—

if appropriate in the presence of an acid acceptor, if appropriate in the presence of a condensing agent and if appropriate in the presence of a diluent.

Formula (II) provides a general definition of the carboxylic acid derivatives required as starting substances for carrying out the process according to the invention. In this formula (II), (Q, R¹ and R²) preferably or in particular have those meanings which have already been mentioned as preferred or as particularly preferred for (Q, R¹ and R²) in connection with the description of the compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention; T preferably represents alkoxy having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, in particular methoxy or ethoxy, or represents hydroxyl or chlorine.

The starting substances of the formula (II) are known and/or can be prepared by known processes (cf. EP-A 178 826, EP-A 242 081, EP-A 382 375, EP-A 493 711, EP-A 432 503, DE-A 3 938 054).

Formula (III) provides a general definition of the amines also to be used as starting substances.

The starting substances of the formula (III) are known organic synthesis chemicals and/or can be prepared by processes which are known per se.

If appropriate, the process according to the invention is carried out in the presence of a suitable acid acceptor. Possible acid acceptors are all the customary inorganic or organic bases. These include, for example, alkaline earth metal or alkali metal hydrides, hydroxides, amides, alcoholates, acetates, carbonates or bicarbonates, such as, for example, sodium hydride, sodium amide, sodium methylate, sodium ethylate, potassium tert-butylate, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, sodium acetate, potassium acetate, calcium acetate, ammonium acetate, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate or ammonium carbonate, and tertiary amines, such as trimethylamine, triethylamine, tributylamine, N,N-dimethylaniline, N,N-dimethyl-benzylamine, pyridine, N-methylpiperidine, N,N-dimethylaminopyridine, diazabicyclooctane (DABCO), diazabicyclononene (DBN) or diazabicycloundecene (DBU).

If appropriate, the process according to the invention is carried out in the presence of a suitable condensing agent. Possible condensing agents are all the condensing agents which can usually be used for such amidation reactions. Examples which may be mentioned are agents which form acid halide, such as phosgene, phosphorus tribromide, phosphorus trichloride, phosphorus pentachloride, phosphorus oxychloride or thionyl chloride; agents which form anhydrides, such as ethyl chloroformate, methyl chloroformate or methanesulphonyl chloride; carbodiimides, such as N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), or other customary condensing agents, such as phosphorus pentoxide, polyphosphoric acid, N,N′-carbonylduimidazole, 2-ethoxy-N-ethoxycarbonyl-1,2-dihydroquinoline (EEDQ) or triphenylphosphine/carbon tetrachloride.

If appropriate, the process according to the invention is carried out in the presence of a diluent. Possible diluents for carrying out the process according to the invention are water and organic solvents. These include, in particular, aliphatic, alicyclic or aromatic, optionally halogenated hydrocarbons, such as, for example, benzine, benzene, toluene, xylene, chlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene, petroleum ether, hexane, cyclohexane, methylene chloride, chloroform or carbon tetrachloride; ethers, such as diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran or ethylene glycol dimethyl or diethyl ether; ketones, such as acetone, butanone or methyl isobutyl ketone; nitriles, such as acetonitrile, propionitrile or benzonitrile; amides, such as N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, N-methylformanilide, N-methylpyrrolidone or hexamethylphosphoric acid triamide; esters, such as methyl acetate or ethyl acetate, sulphoxides, such as dimethyl sulphoxide, alcohols, such as methanol, ethanol, n- or i-propanol, ethylene glycol, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether or diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, or mixtures thereof with water, or pure water.

The reaction temperatures can be varied within a substantial range in carrying out the process according to the invention. The process is in general carried out at temperatures between −20° C. and +200° C., preferably at temperatures between 0° C. and 150° C.

For carrying out the process according to the invention, in general 1 to 5 mol, preferably 1.0 to 2.5 mol, of amine are employed per mol of carboxylic acid derivative of the formula (II).

The reaction is carried out and the reaction products are worked up and isolated by known processes (cf. the preparation examples).

If appropriate, the process according to the invention is carried out in the presence of a catalyst. Examples which may be mentioned are 4-dimethylaminopyridine, 1-hydroxy-benzotriazole or dimethylformamide.

The reaction temperatures can be varied within a substantial range in carrying out the process according to the invention. The process is in general carried out at temperatures between −78° C. and +120° C., preferably at temperatures between −60° C. and +25° C.

For carrying out the process according to the invention for the preparation of the compounds of the formula (I), in general 0.5 to 5 mol, preferably equimolar amounts, of amine of the formula (III) are employed per mol of the alkoximinoacetic acid derivative of the formula (II).

The reaction is carried out and the reaction products are worked up and isolated by known processes (cf. the preparation examples).

The process according to the invention can also be carried out as a two-stage process. In this case, the carboxylic acid derivatives of the general formula (II) are first converted into an activated form and are reacted with the amines of the general formula (III) in a subsequent step to give the alkoximinoacetic acid derivatives of the general formula (I) according to the invention.

Possible activated forms of the carboxylic acid derivatives of the formula (II) are all the carboxyl-activated derivatives, such as, for example, acid halides, preferably acid chlorides, acid azides and furthermore symmetric and mixed anhydrides, such as, for example, mixed O-alkylcarbonic acid anhydrides, and furthermore activated esters, such as, for example, p-nitrophenyl esters or N-hydroxy-succinimide esters, as well as adducts with condensing agents, such as, for example, dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, or activated forms of the carboxylic acids produced in situ.

The active compounds according to the invention have a potent microbicidal action and are employed in practice for combating undesirable microorganisms. The active compounds are particularly suitable for use as plant protection agents, to in particular as fungicides.

Fungicidal agents in plant protection are employed for combating Plasmodiophoromycetes, Oomycetes, Chytridiomycetes, Zygomycetes, Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes and Deuteromycetes.

Some causative organisms of fungal diseases which come under the generic names listed above may be mentioned as examples, but not by way of limitation:

Pythium species, such as, for example, Pythium ultimum;

Phytophthora species, such as, for example, Phytophthora infestans;

Pseudoperonospora species, such as, for example, Pseudoperonospora humuli or Pseudoperonospora cubensis;

Plasmopara species, such as, for example, Plasmopara viticola;

Peronospora species, such as, for example, Peronospora pisi or Peronospora brassicae;

Erysiphe'species, such as, for example, Erysiphe graminis;

Sphaerotheca species, such as, for example, Sphaerotheca fuliginea,

Podosphaera species, such as, for example, Podosphaera leucotricha;

Venturia species, such as, for example, Venturia inaequalis;

Pyrenophora species, such as, for example, Pyrenophora teres or Pyrenophora graminea (conidia form: Drechslera, syn: Helminthosporium);

Cochljobolus species, such as, for example, Cochliobolus sativus (conidia form: Drechslera, syn: Helminthosporium);

Uromyces species, such as, for example, Uromyces appendiculatus;

Puccinia species, such as, for example, Puccinia recondita;

Tilletia species, such as, for example, Tilletia caries;

Ustilago species, such as, for example, Ustilago nuda or Ustilago avenae;

Pellicularia species, such as, for example, Pellicularia sasakii;

Pyricularia species, such as, for example, Pyricularia oryzae;

Fusarium species, such as, for example, Fusarium culmorum;

Botrytis species, such as, for example, Botrytis cinerea;

Septoria species, such as, for example, Septoria nodorum;

Leptosphaeria species, such as, for example, Leptosphaeria nodorum;

Cercospora species, such as, for example, Cercospora canescens;

Alternaria species, such as, for example, Alternaria brassicae and Pseudocercosporella species, such as, for example, Pseudocercosporella herpotrichoides.

The good toleration by plants of the active compounds, at the concentrations required for combating plant diseases, permits treatment of above-ground parts of plants, of vegetative propagation stock and seeds, and of the soil.

The active compounds according to the invention are employed here with particularly good success for combating diseases in wine, fruit and vegetable growing, such as, for example, against Plasmopara and Phytophthora species.

Depending on their particular physical and/or chemical properties,

The active compounds can be converted into the customary formulations, such as solutions, emulsions, suspensions, powders, foams, pastes, granules, aerosols, very fine capsules in polymeric substances and in coating compositions for seed, as well as ULV cold and warm mist formulations.

These formulations are produced in a known manner, for example by mixing the active compounds with extenders, that is, liquid solvents, liquefied gases under pressure, and/or solid carriers, optionally with the use of surface-active agents, that is, emulsifying agents and/or dispersing agents, and/or foam-forming agents. In the case of the use of water as an extender, organic solvents can, for example, also be used as auxiliary solvents. As liquid solvents, there are suitable in the main: aromatics, such as xylene, toluene or alkylnaphthalenes, chlorinated aromatics or chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as chlorobenzenes, chloroethylenes or methylene chloride, aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as cyclohexane or paraffins, for example mineral oil fractions, alcohols, such as butanol or glycol as well as their ethers and esters, ketones, such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone or cyclohexanone, strongly polar solvents, such as dimethylformamide and dimethyl sulphoxide, as well as water. By liquefied gaseous extenders or carriers are meant liquids which are gaseous at ambient temperature and under atmospheric pressure, for example aerosol propellants, such as halogenated hydrocarbons as well as butane, propane, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. As solid carriers there are suitable: for example ground natural minerals, such as kaolins, clays, talc, chalk, quartz, attapulgite, montmorillonite or diatomaceous earth, and ground synthetic minerals, such as highly-disperse silica, alumina and silicates. As solid carriers for granules there are suitable: for example crushed and fractionated natural rocks such as calcite, marble, pumice, sepiolite and dolomite, as well as synthetic granules of inorganic and organic meals, and granules of organic material such as sawdust, coconut shells, maize cobs and tobacco stalks. As emulsifying and/or foam-forming agents there are suitable: for example non-ionic and anionic emulsifiers, such as polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene fatty alcohol ethers, for example alkylaryl polyglycol ethers, alkylsulphonates, alkyl sulphates, arylsulphonates as well as albumen hydrolysis products. As dispersing agents there are suitable: for example lignin-sulphite waste liquors and methylcellulose.

Adhesives such as carboxymethylcellulose and natural and synthetic polymers in the form of powders, granules or latices, such as gum arabic, polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl acetate, as well as natural phospholipids, such as cephalins and lecithins, and synthetic phospho-lipids, can be used in the formulations. Other additives can be mineral and vegetable oils.

It is possible to use colorants such as inorganic pigments, for example iron oxide, titanium oxide and Prussian Blue, and organic dyestuffs, such as alizarin dyestuffs, azo dyestuffs and metal phthalocyanine dyestuffs, and trace nutrients such as salts of iron, manganese, boron, copper, cobalt, molybdenum and zinc.

The formulations in general contain between 0.1 and 95 per cent by weight of active compound, preferably between 0.5 and 90%.

The active compounds according to the invention can be present in the formulations as a mixture with other known active compounds, such as fungicides, insecticides, acaricides and herbicides, as well as in mixtures with fertilizers and growth regulators.

The active compounds according to the invention are also used as such or in their formulations as a mixture with known fungicides, bactericides, acaricides, nematicides or insecticides, in order thus, for example, to increase the action spectrum or to prevent development of resistance.

In many cases, synergistic actions are observed here.

The following components are possible, for example, for the mixtures:

Fungicides:

2-aminobutane; 2-anilino-4-methyl-6-cyclopropyl-pyrimidine; 2′,6′-dibromo-2-methyl-4′-trifluoromethoxy-4′-trifluoro-methyl- 1,3-thiazole-5-carboxanitide; 2,6-dichloro-N-(4-trifluoromethylbenzyl)benzamide; (E)-2-methoxyimino-N-methyl-2-(2-phenoxy- phenyl)acetamide; 8-hydroxyquinoline sulphate; methyl (E)-2-{2-[6-(2-cyano-phenoxy)pyrimidin-4-yloxy]-phenyl}-3-methoxyacrylate; methyl (E)-methoximino[alpha-(o-tolyloxy)-o-tolyl]acetate; 2-phenylphenol (OPP), aldimorph, ampropylfos, anilazine, azaconazole,

benalaxyl, benodanil, benomyl, binapacryl, biphenyl, bitertanol, blasticidin-S, bromuconazole, bupirimate, buthiobate,

calcium polysulphide, captafol, captan, carbendazim, carboxin, chinomethionate (quinomethionate), chloroneb, chloropicrin, chlorothalonil, chlozolinate, cufraneb,

cymoxanil, cyproconazole, cyprofuram,

dichlorophen, diclobutrazol, diclofluanid, diclomezin, dicloran, diethofencarb,

difenoconazole, dimethirimol, dimethomorph, diniconazole, dinocap, diphenylamine, dipyrithion, ditalimfos, dithianon, dodine, drazoxolon,

edifenphos, epoxyconazole, ethirimol, etridiazole,

fenarimol, fenbuconazole, fenfuram, fenitropan, fenpiclonil, fenpropidin, fenpropimorph, fentin acetate, fentin hydroxide, ferbam, ferimzone, fluazinam, fludioxonil, fluoromide, fluquinconazole, flusilazole, flusulfamide, flutolanil, flutriafol, folpet, fosetyl-aluminum, fthalide, fuberidazole, furalaxyl, furmecyclox, guazatine,

hexachlorobenzene, hexaconazole, hymexazol,

imazalil, imibenconazole, iminoctadine, iprobenfos (IBP), iprodione, isoprothiolane,

kasugamycin, copper formulations, such as: copper hydroxide, copper naphthenate, copper oxychloride, copper sulphate, copper oxide, oxine-copper and Bordeaux mixture,

mancopper, mancozeb, maneb, mepanipyrim, mepronil, metalaxyl, metconazole,

methasulfocarb, methfuroxam, metiram, metsulfovax, myclobutanil,

nickel dimethyldithiocarbamate, nitrothal-isopropyl, nuarimol,

ofurace, oxadixyl, oxamocarb, oxycarboxin,

pefurazoate, penconazole, pencycuron, phosdiphen, pimaricin, piperalin, polyoxin, probenazole, prochloraz, procymidone, propamocarb, propiconazole, propineb, pyrazophos, pyrifenox, pyrimethanil, pyroquilon,

quintozene (PCNB),

sulphur and sulphur formulations,

tebuconazole, tecloftalam, tecnazene, tetraconazole, thiabendazole, thicyofen, thiophanate-methyl, thiram, toldlophos-methyl, tolylfluanid, triadimefon, triadimenol, triazoxide, trichlamide, tricyclazole, tridemorph, triflumizole, triforine, triticonazole,

validamycin A, vinclozolin,

zineb, ziram

Bactericides:

bronopol, dichlorophen, nitrapyrin, nickel dimethyldithiocarbamate, kasugamycin, octhilinone, furancarboxylic acid, oxytetracycline, probenazole, streptomycin, tecloftalam, copper sulphate and other copper formulations.

Insecticides/Acaricides/Nematicides:

abamectin, AC 303 630, acephate, acrinathrin, alanycarb, aldicarb, alphamethrin, amitraz, avermectin, AZ 60541, azadirachtin, azinphos A, azinphos M, azocyclotin,

Bacillus thuringiensis, bendiocarb, benfuracarb, bensultap, beta-cyfluthrin, bifenthrin, BPMC, brofenprox, bromophos A, bufencarb, buprofezin, butocarboxin, butylpyridaben,

cadusafos, carbaryl, carbofuran, carbophenothion, carbosulfan, cartap, CGA 157 419, CGA 184699, chloethocarb, chlorethoxyfos, chloretoxyfos chlorfenvinphos,

chlorfluazuron, chlormephos, chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos M, cis-resmethrin,

clocythrin, clofentezine, cyanophos, cycloprothrin, cyfluthrin, cyhalothrin, cyhexatin, cypermethrin, cyromazine,

deltamethrin, demeton-M, demeton-S, demeton-S-methyl, diafenthiuron, diazinon, dichlofenthion, dichlorvos, dicliphos, dicrotophos, diethion, diflubenzuron, dimethoate, dimethylvinphos, dioxathion, disulfoton,

edifenphos, emamectin, esfenvalerate, ethiofencarb, ethion, ethofenprox, ethoprophos, etofenprox, etrimphos,

fenamiphos, fenazaquin, fenbutatin oxide, fenitrothion, fenobucarb, fenothiocarb, fenoxycarb, fenpropathrin, fenpyrad, fenpyroximate, fenthion, fenvalerate, fipronil, fluazinam, flucycloxuron, flucythrinate, flufenoxuron, flufenprox, fluvalinate, fonophos, formothion, fosthiazate, fubfenprox, furathiocarb,

HCH, heptenophos, hexaflumuron, hexythiazox,

imidacloprid, iprobenfos, isazophos, isofenphos, isoprocarb, isoxathion, ivermectin,

lambda-cyhalothrin, lufenuron,

malathion, mecarbam, mevinphos, mesulfenphos, metaldehyde, methacrifos,

methamidophos, methidathion, methiocarb, methomyl, metolcarb, milbemectin,

monocrotophos, moxidectin,

naled, NC 184, NI 25, nitenpyram,

omethoate, oxamyl, oxydemneton M, oxydeprofos,

parathion A, parathion M, permethrin, phenthoate, phorate, phosalone, phosmet,

phosphamdon, phoxim, pirimicarb, pirimiphos M, pirimiphos A, profenofos,

profenophos, promecarb, propaphos, propoxur, prothiofos, prothiophos, prothoate,

pymetrozin, pyrachlophos, pyraclofos, pyraclophos, pyridaphenthion, pyresmethrin, pyrethrum, pyridaben, pyrimidifen, pyriproxifen,

quinalphos,

RH 5992,

salithion, sebufos, silafluofen, sulfotep, sulprofos,

tebufenozid, tebufenpyrad, tebupirimiphos, teflubenzuron, tefluthrin, temephos, terbam, terbufos, tetrachlorvinphos, thiafenox, thiodicarb, thiofanox, thiomethon, thionazin, thuringiensin, tralomethrin, triarathen, triazophos, triazuron, trichlorfon, triflumuron, trimethacarb,

vamidothion, XMC, xylylcarb, zetamethrin.

If appropriate, the active compounds according to the invention are also mixed with other known active compounds, such as herbicides, or else with fertilizers and growth regulators.

The active compounds can be used as such or in the form of their formulations or the use forms prepared therefrom, such as ready-to-use solutions, suspensions, wettable powders, pastes, soluble powders, dusts and granules. They are used in the customary manner, for example by watering, spraying, atomizing, scattering, dusting, foaming, brushing on and the like. It is furthermore possible to apply the active compounds by the ultra-low volume method or to inject the active compound formulation or the active compound itself into the soil. The seeds of the plants can also be treated.

In the treatment of parts of plants, the active compound concentrations in the use forms can be varied within a substantial range. They are, in general, between 1 and 0.0001% by weight, preferably between 0.5 and 0.001%.

In the treatment of seed, amounts of active compound of 0.001 to 50 g per kilogram of seed, preferably 0.01 to 10 g, are generally required.

For the treatment of soil, active compound concentrations of 0.00001 to 0.1% by weight, preferably 0.0001 to 0.02% by weight, are required at the place of action.

PREPARATION EXAMPLES Example 1

A mixture of 1.66 g (8 mmol) of methyl 2-methoximino-2-[2-(2,4-dimethyl)phenyl]acetate and 1.14 g (8 mmol) of 4-chlorobenzylamine is stirred at 120° C. in the melt for 12 hours. After cooling, it is taken up in methylene chloride and the mixture is washed with water, then with 1N hydrochloric acid and then again with water, dried over sodium sulphate and filtered. The filtrate is concentrated in vacuo and the residue is chromatographed with petroleum ether/ethyl acetate (5:1) over silica gel.

1.24 g (47% of theory) of N-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-methoximino-2-[2-(2,4-dimethyl)phenyl]-acetamide are obtained as an oil. ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃, TMS): δ=3.95 ppm (s,3H)

Example 2

2.8 ml (20 mmol) of triethylamine and 2.8 g (20 mmol) of isobutyl chloroformate are added dropwise in succession to a solution of 4.14 g (20 mol) of 2-methoximino-2-[2-(2,4-dimethyl)phenyl]-acetic acid in 80 ml of methylene chloride at −10° C. and the mixture is stirred at −10° C. for 2 hours. A solution of 2.55 g (20 mmol) of 4-chloroaniline in 10 ml of methylene chloride is then added dropwise in the course of 30 minutes, and the mixture is stirred at −10° C. for 2 hours and at 20° C. for a further 18 hours. It is concentrated in vacuo, the residue is taken up in methylene chloride and the mixture is washed once with water, then with 1N hydrochloric acid and then again with water, dried over sodium sulphate, filtered and concentrated again. The residue is stirred with diisopropyl ether and the crystals thus obtained are filtered off and dried.

3.8 g (60% of theory) of N-4-chlorophenyl-2-methoximino-2-[2-(2,4-dimethyl)phenyl]-acetamide of melting point 121° C. are obtained.

Example 3

1.81 g (8 mmol) of 2-methoximino-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-acetyl chloride are added dropwise to a mixture of 1.02 g (8 mmol) of 4-chloroaniline and 1.12 ml (8 mmol) of triethylamine in 30 ml of methylene chloride at 20° C. in the course of 20 minutes and the mixture is sfirred at 20° C. for 18 hours. It is poured onto water and washed first with sodium bicarbonate solution and then with water. The organic phase is dried over sodium sulphate, filtered and concentrated again. The residue is chromatographed with petroleum ether/ethyl acetate (5:1) on silica gel.

1.3 g (41% of theory) of N-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-methoximino-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-acetamide of melting point 105° C. are obtained.

Example 4

4.45 g (20 mmol) of methyl 2-methoximino-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-acetate in 50 ml of methanol are initially introduced into the reaction vessel and 2.83 g (20 mmol) of 4-chlorobenzylamine and 7.2 g (40 mmol) of 30% strength methanolic sodium methylate solution are added in succession at room temperature. The mixture is stirred at 65° C. for 20 hours, the solvent is then distilled off, the residue is taken up in methylene chloride and the mixture is washed successively with water, dilute hydrochloric acid and water and dried over sodium sulphate. After the solvent has been distilled off, the residue is chromatographed with petroleum ether/ethyl acetate (10:1) on silica gel.

3.4 g (51% of theory) of N-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-methoximino-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-acetamide are obtained.

¹H-NMR (DCDl₃, TMS). δ=3.98 ppm (s,3H)

The compounds listed in the following Table 7 can also be prepared, for example, analogously to Examples 1 to 4 and in accordance with the general description of the preparation process according to the invention:

TABLE 7 Ia

Com- pound E/Z- No. R¹ Z isomer R² Q R³ A Y R⁴ physical constant 5 H Ph Z CH₃ O H CH(CH₃)(R+) Ph 4-Cl log p: 3.69 6 H Ph E CH₃ O H CH(CH₃)(R+) Ph 4-Cl Mp. 59° C. 7 H Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂ Ph 4-Cl Mp. 102° C. 8 H Ph Z CH₃ O H — Ph 4-Cl Mp. 93° C. 9 H Ph Z CH₃ O H CH(CH₃) Ph 4-CH₃ Mp. 43° C. 10 H Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂ Ph 4-Cl Mp. 75° C. 11 H Ph E CH₃ O H CH(CH₃) Ph 4-CH₃ Mp. 55° C. 12 H Ph E CH₃ O H — Ph 4-Cl Mp. 194° C. 13 H Ph E/Z CH₃ O H — Cyclohexyl H Mp. 116° C. 14 H Ph E/Z CH₃ O H — 2-Pyridyl H Mp. 63° C. 15 H Ph E/Z CH₃ O H — 2,6-Pyrimidinyl H log p: 1.65 16 H Ph E CH₃ O H — Cyclohexyl H Mp. 135° C. 17 H Ph E/Z CH₃ O H C(CH₃)(CN) Ph 4-Cl Mp. 181° C. 18 H Ph Z CH₃ O H — 2,6-Pyrimidinyl 3,5-(CH₃)₂ NMR: 3.93(s, 3H) 19 4-Cl Ph Z CH₃ O H CH(CH₃) Ph 4-Cl log p: 3.95 20 4-Cl Ph Z CH₃ O H — Cyclohexyl H Mp. 62° C. 21 4-Cl Ph E CH₃ O H CH(CH₃) Ph 4-Cl log p: 3.68 22 4-Cl Ph E CH₃ O H — Cyclohexyl H Mp. 166° C. 23 2,4-(CH₃)₂ Ph E/Z CH₃ O H CH(CH₃)(R+) Ph 4-Cl log p: 3.95 24 4-Cl Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.99 25 H Ph E/Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.27/2.50 26 H Ph E CH₃ O H — 2,6-Pyrimidinyl 3,5-(CH₃)₂ NMR: 4.07(s, 3H) 27 2,4-Cl₂ Ph E/Z CH₃ O H — 2,6-Pyrimidinyl 3,5-(CH₃)₂ log p: 2.46/2.86 28 2,4-Cl₂ Ph E/Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.19/3.31 29 4-Cl Ph Z CH₃ O H — Ph 4-Cl Mp. 112° C. 30 2,4-Cl₂ Ph E/Z CH₃ O H — Ph 4-Cl Mp. 141° C. 31 2,4-Cl₂ Ph E/Z CH₃ O H CH₂ Ph 4-Cl Mp. 109° C. 32 2,4-Cl₂ Ph E/Z CH₃ O H CH(CH₃)(R+) Ph 4-Cl log p: 4.02/4.15 33 2,4-(CH₃)₂ Ph E/Z CH₃ O H — Cyclohexyl H Mp. 72° C. 34 2,4-Cl₂ Ph E/Z CH₃ O H — Cyclohexyl H Mp. 90° C. 35 2,4-Cl₂ Ph E/Z CH₃ O H — Ph 2-i-Propyl log p: 4.32/4.47 36 2,4-Cl₂ Ph E/Z CH₃ O H — Ph 2-Cyclohexyl Mp. 79° C. 37 2,4-(CH₃)₂ Ph E CH₃ O H — Ph 2-s-Butyl log p: 4.65 38 2,4-(CH₃)₂ Ph Z CH₃ O H — Ph 2-s-Butyl NMR: 4.13(s, 3H) 39 H Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log P: 2.50 40 H Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.26 41 4-CH₃ Ph E/Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.53/2.77 42 4-CH₃ Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ Mp. 72° C. 43 4-CH₃ Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 4-F Mp. 44° C. 44 4-CH₃ Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3-Cl log p: 3.63 45 4-CH₃ Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3-OCH₃ log p: 3.20 46 4-CH₃ Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 2,4-Cl₂ log p: 4.15 47 4-CH₃ Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 4-OCH₃ log p: 3.16 48 4-CH₃ Ph E/Z CH₃ O H — Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.59/2.91 49 4-CH₃ Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 4-F Mp. 71° C. 50 4-CH₃ Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3-OCH₃ Mp. 94° C. 51 4-CH₃ Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 4-OCH₃ Mp. 85° C. 52 4-CH₃ Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 2-OCH₃ log p: 3.40 53 4-CH₃ Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3-F log p: 3.20 54 4-OCH₃ Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.25 55 4-OCH₃ Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.50 56 4-CH₃ Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 2-Cl log p: 3.64 57 4-CH₃ Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 2,4-Cl₂ Mp. 101° C. 58 4-CH₃ Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3-Cl Mp. 103° C. 59 4-CH₃ Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 4-Cl Mp. 75° C. 60 4-CH₃ Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph H log p: 3.26 61 4-CH₃ Ph Z CH₃ O CH₃ CH₂—CH₂ Ph H log p: 3.57 62 4-CH₃ Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 2-OCH₃ Mp. 94° C. 63 4-CH₃ Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3-F Mp. 92° C. 64 4-CH₃ Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 2,5-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.75 65 4-CH₃ Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 4-Br Mp. 44° C. 66 4-CH₃ Ph E/Z CH₃ O H CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ NMR: 2.35(s, 3H) 67 4-CH₃ Ph Z CH₃ O CH₃ CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.03 68 4-CH₃ Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph H Mp. 85° C. 69 4-CH₃ Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 2-Cl Mp. 93° C. 70 4-CH₃ Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 4-Cl Mp. 104° C. 71 4-CH₃ Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 4-Br Mp. 122° C. 72 5-CH₃ 2-Thienyl Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ Mp. 79° C. 73 5-CH₃ 2-Thienyl E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.46 74 4-CH₃ Ph E CH₃ O CH₃ CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log P: 2.86 75 4-CH₃ Ph E CH₃ O CH₃ CH₂—CH₂ Ph H log p: 3.45 76 4-CH₃ Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 2,5-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.04 77 4-Cl Ph E/Z C₂H₅ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.07/3.34 78 4-OC₂H₅ Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.83 79 4-Cl Ph E/Z H O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ NMR: 3.87(s, 3H) 80 4-C₂H₅ Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ NMR: 3.95(s, 3H) 81 4-C₂H₅ Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.86 82 4-OC₂H₅ Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.59 83 4-CH(CH₃)₂ Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ NMR: 3.88(s, 3H) 84 4-CH(CH₃)₂ Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ NMR: 3.81(s, 3H) 85 5-CH₃ 2-Furanyl E/Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.04/2.26 86 4-CH₃ 2-Thienyl Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.85 87 4-CH₃ 2-Thienyl E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.54 88 5-CH₃ 2-Furanyl E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.04 89 5-CH₃ 2-Furanyl Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.26 90 5-OCH₃ 2-Thienyl E/Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.04/2.14 91 3,4-(CH₃)₂ Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.00 92 4-C(CH₃)₃ Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.72 93 4-F Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.61 94 4-Br Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.08 95 4-Cl 2-Thienyl Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.56 96 4-Br Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.82 97 5-Cl 2-Thienyl Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ Mp.: 91° C. 98 4-F Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.39 99 3,4-(CH₃)₂ Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.75 100 H 3-Indolyl E/Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.21/2.28 101 3,4-Cl₂ Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.43 102 4-C(CH₃)₂ Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.39 103 5-Cl 2-Thienyl E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ Fp: 98° C. 104 4-CH₃ Ph Z C₂H₅ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.13 105 4-NO₂ Ph E/Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.45/2.66 106 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.21 107 4-Cl 2-Thienyl E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ Mp. 88° C. 108 3,4-Cl₂ Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ Mp. 122° C. 109 4-SO₂CH₃ Ph E/Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ Mp. 94° C. 110 4-CH₃ Ph E C₂H₅ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.85 111 H 2-Benzo- E/Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.84/2.91 thienyl 112 H 2-Napthyl E/Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ Fp: 64° C. 113 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ Mp. 122° C. 114 3,4-(CH₂)₃— Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.01 115 4-(CH₂)₂CH₃ Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.53 116 4-C₂H₅ Ph Z C₂H₅ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ Mp. 66° C. 117 3,4-(CH₂)₄— Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.44 118 4- Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.87 CH₂CH(CH₃)₂ 119 5-Br 2-Thienyl Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ Mp. 80° C. 120 4-OPh Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ Mp. 42° C. 121 4-(CH₂)₂CH₃ Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.91 122 4-C₂H₅ Ph E C₂H₅ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ Mp. 82° C. 123 3,4-(CH₂)₃— Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ Mp. 98° C. 124 4-(CH₂)₂CH₃ Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.25 125 4- Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.58 CH₂CH(CH₃)₂ 126 4-OCH₂Ph Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.49 127 5-C₂H₅ 2-Thienyl Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.22 128 4-Ph Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.50 129 4-OPh Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.24 130 5-Br 2-Thienyl E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.87 131 3,4-(CH₂)₄— Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ Mp. 100° C. 132 4-(CH₂)₃CH₃ Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.62 133 4-OCH₂Ph Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ Mp. 123° C. 134 H 2-Thienyl Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ Mp. 81° C. 135 3,4-(C₂H₅)₂ Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.67 136 4-Ph Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ Mp. 110° C. 137 4-SCH₃ Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.86 138 4- Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.82 CH(CH₃)C₂H₅ 139 4-Br Ph E/Z C₂H₅ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.15/3.43 140 3,4-OCH₂O— Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.40 141 3,4-O(CH₂)₂O— Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.41 142 4-SCH₃ Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ Mp. 98° C. 143 5-C₂H₅ 2-Thienyl E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.77 144 3,4-(C₂H₅)₂ Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ Mp. 78° C. 145 4- Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.52 CH(CH₃)C₂H₅ 146 4-Br Ph E C₂H₅ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.15 147 3,4-O(CH₂)O— Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ Mp. 134° C. 148 3,4-F₂ Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.59 149 3,4-O(CH₂)₂O— Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.19 150 4,5-Br₂ 2-Thienyl Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ Mp. 104° C. 151 4-(CH₂)₄CH₃ Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 4.34 152 H 2-Thienyl E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ Mp. 92° C. 153 4-Cyclopropyl Ph E/Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ NMR: 3.88(s, 3H) 154 4,5-Br₂ 2-Thienyl E/Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ NMR: 4.07(s, 3H) 155 4-(CH₂)₄CH₃ Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 4.04 156 3,4-F₂ Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ Mp. 104° C. 157 4-Cyclopropyl Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ NMR: 3.82(s, 3H) 158 4-F, 3-OCH₃ Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.50 159 H 1-Napthyl E/Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ Mp. 63° C. 160 4-F, 3-OCH₃ Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ Mp. 102° C. 161 4-OCH₃ Ph Z C₂H₅ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ Mp. 43° C. 162 4-Cyclohexyl Ph E/Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 4.03/4.35 163 4-(CH₂)₅CH₃ Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 4.78 164 4-(CH₂)₆CH₃ Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 5.23 165 3,4-(CH₂)₃— Ph Z C₂H₅ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.56 166 3,4-(CH₂)₄— Ph Z C₂H₅ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.84 167 4-CH₃ Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.79 168 4-OCH₃ Ph E C₂H₅ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ Mp. 86° C. 169 4-(CH₂)₅CH₃ Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 4.47 170 3,4-(CH₂)₃— Ph E C₂H₅ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.25 171 4-Cyclohexyl Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 4.03 172 4-(CH₂)₆CH₃ Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 4.92 173 3,4-(CH₂)₄— Ph E C₂H₅ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.53 174 3-Cl Ph E/Z C₂H₅ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.08/3.30 175 4-OCF₃ Ph E/Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.75/3.11 176 3-OCH₃ Ph Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.03 177 4-CH₃ Ph E/Z CH₂Ph O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.47/3.69 178 4-Br Ph E/Z CH₂Ph O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.76/3.99 179 4-Cl Ph E/Z CH₂Ph O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.67/3.89 180 3,4-(CH₂)₄— Ph E/Z CH₂Ph O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 4.12/4.36 181 4-CH₃ Ph E/Z C(CH₃)₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.58/3.79 182 4-CH₃ Ph E/Z (CH₂)₂CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.20/3.50 183 4-CH₃ Ph E/Z Allyl O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.81/3.01 184 4-Cl Ph Z (CH₂)₂CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.75 185 3,4-(CH₂)₃— Ph E/Z C(CH₃)₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.98/4.19 186 3,4-(CH₂)₃— Ph E/Z CH₂Ph O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.85/4.06 187 3-OCH₃ Ph E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.01 188 3,4-(CH₂)₃— Ph E/Z Allyl O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.39/3.64 189 4-CH₃ Ph E/Z CH(CH₃)₂ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.21/3.47 190 4-Cl Ph E/Z (CH₂)₃CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.81/4.14 191 3,4-(CH₂)₃— Ph E/Z (CH₂)₃CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 4.00/4.33 192 4-Cl Ph E/Z Allyl O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.22/3.47 193 3,4-(CH₂)₃— Ph E/Z (CH₂)₃CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.62/3.92 194 3,4-(CH₂)₃— Ph E/Z CH(CH₃)₂ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.64/3.89 195 4-C₂H₅ Ph E/Z CH₂PH O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.83/4.05 196 3,4-(CH₂)₄— Ph E/Z H O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.53/2.68 197 4-Br Ph E/Z H O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.32/2.38 198 3,4-(CH₂)₃ Ph E/Z Propargyl O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ NMR: 3.86(s, 3H) 199 4-C₂H₅ Ph E/Z H O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃) Mp.: 122° C. 200 3,4-(CH₂)₃ Ph E/Z H O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ Mp.: 115° C. 201 4-CH₃ Ph E/Z H O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ Mp.: 143° C. 202 3-CF₃ Ph E/Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.99/3.21 203 3,4-(CH₂)₃ Ph E/Z CH₂CN O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ NMR: 3.87(s, 3H) 204 4-CF₃ Ph E/Z C₂H₅ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.32/3.58 205 4-CF₃ Ph E/Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.01/3.25 206 3-F Ph E/Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.44/2.64 207 H 3-Benzo- E/Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ NMR: 3.85(s, 3H) thienyl 208 H 2-Benzo- E/Z C₂H₅ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.24/3.72 thienyl 209 3-CH₃ Ph E/Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.56/2.76 210 3-CH₃ Ph E/Z C₂H₅ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.87/31.0 211 3-Br Ph E/Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.83/3.05 212 3-Br Ph E/Z C₂H₅ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.18/3.40 213 H 2-Benzo- E C₂H₅ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ NMR: 3.88(s, 3H) thienyl 214 3,4-(CH₂)₄ Ph E/Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.17/3.40 215 H 2-Naphthyl E/Z C₂H₅ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.20/3.44 216 H 2-Naphthyl Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃) log p: 3.10 217 H 2-Naphthyl E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.87 218 4,5-Cl₂ 2-Thiazolyl E/Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.93/2.95 219 4,5-Cl₂ 2-Thiazolyl E/Z C₂H₅ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.28/3.30 220 4,5-Cl₂ 2-Thiazolyl Z CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 2.93 221 4,5-Cl₂ 2-Thiazolyl E CH₃ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ Fp.: 74° C. 222 4,5-Cl₂ 2-Thiazolyl E C₂H₅ O H CH₂—CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ log p: 3.28 223 4,5-Cl₂ 2-Thiazolyl E C₂H₅ O H CH₂CH₂ Ph 3,4-(OCH₃)₂ Fp.: 71° C.

Example A

Phytophthora Test (tomato)/Protective

Solvent: 4.7 parts by weight of acetone

Emulsifier: 0.3 part by weight of alkylaryl polyglycol ether

To produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weight of active compound is mixed with the stated amounts of solvent and emulsifier, and the concentrate is diluted with water to the desired concentration.

To test for protective activity, young plants are sprayed with the preparation of active compound until dripping wet. After the spray coating has dried on, the plants are inoculated with an aqueous spore suspension of Phytophthora infestans.

The plants are placed in an incubation cabin at 100% relative atmospheric humidity and about 20° C.

The evaluation is carried out 6 days after the inoculation.

In this test, compounds 24, 41 and 42 according to the invention show a degree of action of more than 80% at an active compound concentration of 100 ppm in the spray liquor.

Example B

Plasmopara Test (vines)/Protective

Solvent: 4.7 parts by weight of acetone

Emulsifier: 0.3 part by weight of alkylaryl polyglycol ether

To produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weight of active compound is mixed with the stated amounts of solvent and emulsifier, and the concentrate is diluted with water to the desired concentration.

To test for protective activity, young plants are sprayed with the preparation of active compound. After the spray coating has dried on, the plants are inoculated with an aqueous spore suspension of Plasmopara viticola and then remain in a humidity chamber at 20 to 22° C. and 100% relative atmospheric humidity for 1 day. The plants are then placed in a greenhouse at 21° C. and 90% atmospheric humidity for 5 days. The plants are then moistened and placed in a humidity chamber for 1 day.

Evaluation is carried out 6 days after the inoculation.

In this test, compounds 2, 24, 41, 42, 73, 77, 81, 82, 91, 96, 98, 99, 103, 110, 110, 114, 117, 122, 123, 124, 126, 127, 131, 132, 136, 142, 143, 144, 146, 147, 170, 171 and 173 according to the invention show a degree of action of more than 80% at an active compound concentration of 100 ppm in the spray liquor. 

What is claimed is:
 1. Compounds of the formula (I)

in which A represents a single bond or optionally substituted alkylene, Q represents oxygen or sulphur, R¹ represents in each case optionally substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl or heterocyclyl, R² and R³ are identical or different and in each case represent hydrogen or in each case optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkinyl or cycloalkyl, and R⁴ represents in each case optionally substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl or heterocyclyl, provided that either R¹ or R⁴ are heterocyclyl.
 2. Compounds of the formula (I) according to claim 1, in which A represents a single bond, or represents alkylene having 1 to 6 carbon atoms which is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of: halogen, cyano, nitro, amino, hydroxyl, formyl, carboxyl, carbamoyl or thiocarbamoyl; in each case straight-chain or branched alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylsulphinyl or alkylsulphonyl having in each case 1 to 6 carbon atoms; in each case straight-chain or branched alkenyl or alkenyloxy having in each case 2 to 6 carbon atoms; in each case straight-chain or branched halogenoalkoxy, halogenoalkylthio, halogenoalkylsulphinyl or halogenoalkylsulphonyl having in each case 1 to 6 carbon atoms and 1 to 13 identical or different halogen atoms; in each case straight-chain or branched halogenoalkenyl or halogenoalkenyloxy having in each case 2 to 6 carbon atoms and 1 to 13 identical or different halogen atoms; in each case straight-chain or branched alkylamino, dialkylamino, alkylcarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylsulphonyloxy, hydroximinoalkyl or alkoximinoalkyl having in each case 1 to 6 carbon atoms in the individual alkyl parts; cycloalkyl having 3 to 6 carbon atoms; and substituted aryl or heterocyclyl, in each case optionally mono- or polysubstituted in an identical or different manner by halogen, cyano and/or straight-chain or branched alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and/or straight-chain or branched halogenoalkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and 1 to 9 identical or different halogen atoms and/or straight-chain or branched alkoxy or alkylthio having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and/or straight-chain or branched halogenoalkoxy or halogenoalkylthio having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and 1 to 9 identical or different halogen atoms and/or in each case divalent alkylene or dioxyalkylene having in each case 1 to 6 carbon atoms and optionally mono- or polysubstituted in an identical or different manner by halogen and/or straight-chain or branched alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and/or straight-chain or branched halogenoalkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and 1 to 9 identical or different halogen atoms, Q represents oxygen or sulphur, R¹ represents aryl, cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl having 3 to 7 carbon atoms or heterocyclyl having 3 to 12 ring members, in each case optionally mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents, the possible substituents preferably being chosen from the following list: halogen, cyano, nitro, amino, hydroxyl, formyl, carboxyl, carbamoyl or thiocarbamoyl; in each case straight-chain or branched alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylsulphinyl or alkylsulphonyl having in each case 1 to 6 carbon atoms; in each case straight-chain or branched alkenyl or alkenyloxy having in each case 2 to 6 carbon atoms; in each case straight-chain or branched halogenoalkyl, halogenoalkoxy, halogenoalkylthio, halogenoalkylsulphinyl or halogenoalkylsulphonyl having in each case 1 to 6 carbon atoms and 1 to 13 identical or different halogen atoms; in each case straight-chain or branched halogenoalkenyl or halogenoalkenyloxy having in each case 2 to 6 carbon atoms and 1 to 13 identical or different halogen atoms; in each case straight-chain or branched alkylamino, dialkylamino, alkylcarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylsulphonyloxy, hydroxyiminoalkyl or alkoximinoalkyl having in each case 1 to 8 carbon atoms in the individual alkyl parts; in each case divalent alkylene or dioxyalkylene having in each case 1 to 6 carbon atoms and in each case optionally mono- or polysubstituted in an identical or different manner by halogen and/or straight-chain or branched alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and/or straight-chain or branched halogenoalkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and 1 to 9 identical or different halogen atoms; cycloalkyl having 3 to 6 carbon atoms; and substituted aryl, aryloxy, arylthio, arylalkyl, arylalkyloxy, arylalkylthio, heterocyclyl, heterocyclyloxy, heterocyclylthio, heterocyclylalkyl, heterocyclylalkyloxy or heterocyclylalkylthio, in each case optionally mono- or polysubstituted in an identical or different manner by halogen, cyano and/or straight-chain or branched alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and/or straight-chain or branched halogenoalkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and 1 to 9 identical or different halogen atoms and/or straight-chain or branched alkoxy or alkylthio having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and/or straight-chain or branched halogenoalkoxy or halogenoalkylthio having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and 1 to 9 identical or different halogen atoms and/or in each case divalent alkylene or dioxyalkylene having in each case 1 to 6 carbon atoms and optionally mono- or polysubstituted in an identical or different manner by halogen and/or straight-chain or branched alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and/or straight-chain or branched halogenoalkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and 1 to 9 identical or different halogen atoms, R² represents hydrogen, or represents alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkenyl or alkinyl having in each case 2 to 4 carbon atoms or cycloalkyl having 3 to 6 carbon atoms, in each case optionally mono- or polysubstituted in an identical or different manner by halogen, cyano, hydroxyl, amino, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphinyl or C₁-C₄-alkylsulphonyl (which can in each case be optionally substituted by halogen) or by optionally substituted phenyl, R³ represents hydrogen or alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R⁴ represents aryl, cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl having 3 to 8 carbon atoms or heterocyclyl having 3 to 12 ring members, in each case optionally mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of: halogen, cyano, nitro, amino, hydroxyl, formyl, carboxyl, carbamoyl or thiocarbamoyl; in each case straight-chain or branched alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylsulphinyl or alkylsulphonyl having in each case 1 to 6 carbon atoms; in each case straight-chain or branched alkenyl or alkenyloxy having in each case 2 to 6 carbon atoms; in each case straight-chain or branched halogenoalkyl, halogenoalkoxy, halogenoalkylthio, halogenoalkylsulphinyl or halogenoalkylsulphonyl having in each case 1 to 6 carbon atoms and 1 to 13 identical or different halogen atoms; in each case straight-chain or branched halogenoalkenyl or halogenoalkenyloxy having in each case 2 to 6 carbon atoms and 1 to 13 identical or different halogen atoms; in each case straight-chain or branched alkylamino, dialkylamino, alkylcarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylsulphonyloxy, hydroximinoalkyl or alkoximinoalkyl having in each case 1 to 6 carbon atoms in the individual alkyl parts; in each case divalent alkylene or dioxyalkylene having in each case 1 to 6 carbon atoms and in each case optionally mono- or polysubstituted in an identical or different manner by halogen and/or straight-chain or branched alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and/or straight-chain or branched halogenoalkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and 1 to 9 identical or different halogen atoms; cycloalkyl having 3 to 6 carbon atoms; and substituted aryl, aryloxy, arylthio, arylalkyl, arylalkyloxy, arylalkylthio, heterocyclyl, heterocyclyloxy, heterocyclylthio, heterocyclylalkyl, heterocyclylalkyloxy or heterocyclylalkylthio, in each case optionally mono- or polysubstituted in an identical or different manner by halogen, cyano and/or straight-chain or branched alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and/or straight-chain or branched halogenoalkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and 1 to 9 identical or different halogen atoms and/or straight-chain or branched alkoxy or alkylthio having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and/or straight-chain or branched halogenoalkoxy or halogenoalkylthio having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and 1 to 9 identical or different halogen atoms and/or in each case divalent alkylene or dioxyalkylene having in each case 1 to 6 carbon atoms and optionally mono- or polysubstituted in an identical or different manner by halogen and/or straight-chain or branched alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and/or straight-chain or branched halogenoalkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and 1 to 9 identical or different halogen atoms, provided that either R¹ or R⁴ are heterocyclyl.
 3. Compounds of the formula (I) according to claim 1, in which A represents a single bond, or represents methylene, 1,1-ethylene, 1,2-ethylene, 1,1-,1,2-, 1,3- or 2,2-propylene, 1,1-, 1,2-, 1,3-, 1,4-, 2,2-, 2,3-butylene or 1,1-, 1,2- or 1,3-(2-methylpropylene) which are optionally mono- or polysubstituted in an identical or different manner by fluorine, chlorine, cyano or methoxy, Q represents oxygen or sulphur, R¹ represents cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl, phenyl, naphthyl, furyl, benzofuranyl, pyrrolyl, indolyl, thienyl, benzothienyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyridyl, quinolyl, pyrimidyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, oxiranyl, oxetanyl, tetrahydrofuiryl, perhydropyranyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl or morpholinyl, in each case optionally mono- to trisubstituted, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of: fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, nitro, amino, hydroxyl, formyl, carboxyl, carbamoyl, thiocarbamoyl, methyl, ethyl, n- or i-propyl, n-, i-, s- or t-butyl, n-pentyl, n-hexyl, n-heptyl, methoxy, ethoxy, n- or i-propoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, n- or i-propylthio, methylsulphinyl, ethylsulphinyl, methylsulphonyl or ethylsulphonyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoroethyl, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, difluorochloromethoxy, trifluoroethoxy, difluoromethylthio, difluorochloromethylthio, trifluoromethylthio, trifluoromethylsulphinyl or trifluoromethylsulphonyl, methylamino, ethylamino, n- or i-propylamino, dimethylamino, diethylamino, acetyl, propionyl, acetyloxy, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, methylsulphonyloxy, ethylsulphonyloxy, hydroximinomethyl, hydroximinoethyl, methoximinomethyl, ethoximinomethyl, methoximinoethyl or ethoximinoethyl; in each case divalent trimethylene (propane-1,3-diyl), tetramethylene (butane-1,4-diyl), methylenedioxy or ethylenedioxy, in each case optionally mono- or polysubstituted in an identical or different manner by fluorine, chlorine, methyl, trifluoromethyl, ethyl or n- or i-propyl; cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl; phenyl, benzyl, phenoxy and benzyloxy which are optionally substituted by the abovementioned substituents, R² represents hydrogen, or represents methyl, ethyl, n- or i-propyl or n-, i-, s- or t-butyl, or represents benzyl or propargyl or allyl, R³ represents hydrogen, or represents methyl or ethyl, R⁴ represents cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl, phenyl, naphthyl, fuiryl, benzofuranyl, pyrrolyl, indolyl, thienyl, benzothienyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyridyl, quinolyl, pyrimidyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, oxiranyl, oxetanyl, tetrahydrofuryl, perhydropyranyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl or morpholinyl, in each case optionally mono- to trisubstituted, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of: fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, nitro, amino, hydroxyl, formyl, carboxyl, carbamoyl, thiocarbamoyl, methyl, ethyl, n- or i-propyl, n-, i-, s- or t-butyl, methoxy, ethoxy, n- or i-propoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, n- or i-propylthio, methylsulphinyl, ethylsulphinyl, methylsulphonyl or ethylsulphonyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoroethyl, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, difluorochloromethoxy, trifluoroethoxy, difluoromethylthio, difluorochloromethylthio, trifluoromethylthio, trifluoromethylsulphinyl or trifluoromethylsulphonyl, methylamino, ethylamino, n- or i-propylamino, dimethylamino, diethylamino, acetyl, propionyl, acetyloxy, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, methylsulphonyloxy, ethylsulphonyloxy, hydroximinomethyl, hydroximinoethyl, methoximinomethyl, ethoximinomethyl, methoximinoethyl or ethoximinoethyl; in each case divalent trimethylene (propane-1,3-diyl), tetramethylene (butane-1,4-diyl), methylenedioxy or ethylenedioxy, in each case optionally mono- or polysubstituted in an identical or different manner by fluorine, chlorine, methyl, trifluoromethyl, ethyl or n- or i-propyl; cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl, provided that either R¹ or R⁴ are heterocyclyl.
 4. Compounds of the formula (I) according to claim 1, in which A represents a single bond, or represents methylene, 1,1-ethylene, 1,2-ethylene, 1,1-, 1,2-, 1,3- or 2,2-propylene, 1,1-, 1,2-, 1,3-, 1,4-, 2,2-, 2,3-butylene or 1,1-, 1,2- or 1,3-(2-methylpropylene), which are optionally mono- or polysubstituted in an identical or different manner by fluorine, chlorine, cyano or methoxy, Q represents oxygen or sulphur, R¹ represents cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl, in each case optionally mono- to hexasubstituted, or represents phenyl, naphthyl, furyl, benzofuranyl, thienyl, benzothienyl, pyridyl, quinolyl, tetrahydrofuryl or perhydropyranyl, in each case optionally mono- to trisubstituted, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of: fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, nitro, methyl, ethyl, n- or i-propyl, n-, i-, s- or t-butyl, n-pentyl, n-hexyl, n-heptyl, methoxy, ethoxy, n- or i-propoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, n- or i-propylthio, methylsulphinyl, ethylsulphinyl, methylsulphonyl or ethylsulphonyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoroethyl, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, difluorochloromethoxy, trifluoroethoxy, difluoromethylthio, difluorochloromethylthio, trifluoromethylthio, trifluoromethylsulphinyl, trifluoromethylsulphonyl, acetyl, propionyl, acetyloxy, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, methylsulphonyloxy, ethylsulphonyloxy, hydroximinomethyl, hydroximinoethyl, methoximinomethyl, ethoximinomethyl, methoximinoethyl or ethoximinoethyl; in each case divalent trimethylene (propane-1,3-diyl), tetramethylene (butane-1,4-diyl), methylenedioxy or ethylenedioxy, in each case optionally mono- or polysubstituted in an identical or different manner by fluorine, chlorine, methyl, trifluoromethyl, ethyl or n- or i-propyl; cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl; phenyl, phenoxy or benzyloxy optionally substituted by the abovementioned substituents; R² represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n- or i-propyl or n-, i-, s- or t-butyl, or represents benzyl, R³ represents hydrogen or methyl, R⁴ represents cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl, in each case optionally mono- to hexasubstituted, or represent phenyl, naphthyl, furyl, benzofuranyl, pyrrolyl, indolyl, thienyl, benzothienyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyridyl, quinolyl, pyrimidyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, oxiranyl, oxetanyl, tetrahydrofuiryl, perhydropyranyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl or morpholinyl, in each case optionally mono- to trisubstituted, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of: fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, nitro, amino, hydroxyl, formyl, carboxyl, carbamoyl, thiocarbamoyl, methyl, ethyl, n- or i-propyl, n-, i-, s- or t-butyl, methoxy, ethoxy, n- or i-propoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, n- or i-propylthio, methylsulphinyl, ethylsulphinyl, methylsulphonyl or ethylsulphonyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoroethyl, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, difluorochloromethoxy, trifluoroethoxy, difluoromethylthio, difluorochloromethylthio, trifluoromethylthio, trifluoromethylsulphinyl or trifluoromethylsulphonyl, methylamino, ethylamino, n- or i-propylamino, dimethylamino, diethylamino, acetyl, propionyl, acetyloxy, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, methylsulphonyloxy, ethylsulphonyloxy, hydroximinomethyl, hydroximinoethyl, methoximinomethyl, ethoximinomethyl, methoximinoethyl or ethoximinoethyl; in each case divalent trimethylene (propane-1,3-diyl), tetramethylene (butane-1,4-diyl), methylenedioxy or ethylenedioxy, in each case optionally mono- or polysubstituted in an identical or different manner by fluorine, chlorine, methyl, trifluoromethyl, ethyl or n- or i-propyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl, provided that either R¹ or R⁴ are heterocyclyl.
 5. Compounds of the formula (I) in which A represents a single bond, or represents methylene, 1,1-ethylene, 1,2-ethylene, 1,1-propylene, 1,2-propylene, 1,3-propylene or 2,2-propylene, Q represents oxygen, R¹ represents phenyl, thienyl or furanyl, which are optionally mono- or disubstituted by bromine, chlorine, fluorine, nitro, methylsulphonyl, phenyl, phenyloxy, benzyloxy, cyclopropyl, cyclohexyl, methyl, ethyl, n- or i-propyl, n-, i-, s- or t-butyl, n-pentyl, n-hexyl, n-heptyl, methoxy, ethoxy, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy and/or methylthio, or represents phenyl which is substituted by in each case optionally fluorine-substituted 3,4-methylene- and ethylenedioxo, propane-1,3-diyl and butane-1,4-diyl, or represents naphthyl, benzofuranyl or benzothienyl, R² represents hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, or represents n- or i-propyl, or represents n-, i-, s- or t-butyl, or represents benzyl or allyl, R³ represents hydrogen or methyl, R⁴ represents cyclohexyl or optionally mono- to trisubstituted phenyl, thienyl, furyl, benzofuryl, benzothienyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, naphthyl or quinolyl, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of: fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, nitro, amino, hydroxyl, formyl, carboxyl, carbamoyl, thiocarbamoyl, methyl, ethyl, n- or i-propyl, n-, i-, s- or t-butyl, methoxy, ethoxy, n- or i-propoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, n- or i-propylthio, methylsulphinyl, ethylsulphinyl, methylsulphonyl or ethylsulphonyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoroethyl, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, difluorochloromethoxy, trifluoroethoxy, difluoromethylthio, difluorochloromethylthio, trifluoromethylthio, trifluoromethylsulphinyl or trifluoromethylsulphonyl, methylamino, ethylamino, n- or i-propylamino, dimethylamino, diethylamino, acetyl, propionyl, acetyloxy, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, methylsulphonyloxy, ethylsulphonyloxy, hydroximinomethyl, hydroximinoethyl, methoximinomethyl, ethoximinomethyl, methoximinoethyl or ethoximinoethyl, in each case divalent trimethylene (propane-1,3-diyl), tetramethylene (butane-1,4-diyl), methylenedioxy or ethylenedioxy, in each case optionally mono- or polysubstituted in an identical or different manner by fluorine, chlorine, methyl, trifluoromethyl, ethyl or n- or i-propyl, provided that either R¹ or R⁴ are heterocyclyl.
 6. Process for the preparation of compounds of the formula

in which A, Q, R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ have the meaning disclosed in claim 1, characterized in that carboxylic acid derivatives of the general formula (II)

in which R¹, R² and Q have the abovementioned meaning and T represents hydroxyl, halogen or alkoxy, are reacted with an amine of the general formula (III)

in which R³, R⁴ and A have the abovementioned meaning — or with a hydrogen halide thereof — optionally in the presence of an acid acceptor, optionally in the presence of a condensing agent and optionally in the presence of a diluent.
 7. A composition for combating pests comprising a pesticidally effective amount of a compound of the formula (I) according to claim 1 and an extender and/or a surface active agent.
 8. A method of combating pests comprising applying a pesticidally effective amount of a compound of the formula (I) according to claim 1 to the pests or their environment or to a place from which it is desired to exclude such pests. 